Excepting Mrs. Pentherby
The story revolves around a middle-aged woman who lives with her husband and daughter in a small town. She is portrayed as being overly concerned with appearances and social status. The narrative explores the complexities of her relationships with those around her, particularly her daughter, who is struggling to find her place in society.
By Hector Hugh Munro · First published 1908 · Genre: Comedy, Satire, Social Commentary · 2,201 words
First lines
It was Reggie Bruttle's own idea for converting what had threatened to be an albino elephant into a beast of burden that should help him along the stony road of his finances. "The Limes," which had come to him by inheritance without any accompanying provision for its upkeep, was one of those pretentious, unaccommodating mansions which none but a man of wealth could afford to live in, and which not one wealthy man in a hundred would choose on its merits. It might easily languish in the estate market for years, set round with noticeboards proclaiming it, in the eyes of a sceptical world, to be an eminently desirable residence.
What this Textopian page supports
Excepting Mrs. Pentherby is listed on Textopian as a short story by Hector Hugh Munro, dated 1908 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Hector Hugh Munro
- Date: 1908 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Satire, Social Commentary, Drama, Short Story
- Length: 2,201 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Excepting Mrs. Pentherby by Hector Hugh Munro
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Excepting Mrs. Pentherby?
- How does this short story by Hector Hugh Munro fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Comedy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- The Oversight by Hector Hugh Munro
Genres
- Comedy — The story revolves around humorous social interactions and the comedic setup of a house party with a deliberately disruptive guest.
- Satire — The narrative satirizes social conventions and the nature of interpersonal relationships, particularly focusing on the dynamics of a house party.
- Social Commentary — The plot provides insight into societal norms and behaviors, especially regarding gender roles and social gatherings.
- Drama — The story includes elements of conflict and tension among characters, particularly centered around Mrs. Pentherby's interactions.
Tags
Satire · Dark Comedy · Social Commentary · Victorian Era · Upper Class · Snobbery · Classism · Morality · Moral Ambiguity · Irony · Wit · Sarcasm